Healing Arts & Cancer Support Community

Hirsch Wellness Network is a proud member of:

Éowyn Ahlstrom

Meditation Instructor

Éowyn (M.Ed., LMT, RYT) facilitates programs in mindfulness, meditation and yoga offering individuals and organizations pragmatic guidance and support for integrating contemplative awareness into modern life. She is the author of Mindscapes: Practice Poems. In addition to her Master's degree in Education, Éowyn has qualifications as licensed massage therapist, a registered yoga teacher, and is certified to teach both mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and compassion cultivation training (CCT). Over the years, Eowyn has taught programs for the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, the Insight Meditation Society, the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the Center for Mindfulness & Compassion at the Cambridge Health Alliance, among others. To learn more about Éowyn, visit Middlepath-HealingArts.com

Biography

Susanne Baker

Fine Art Book Maker & Paper Marbling Artist

Susanne has an MFA in Book Arts from the University of Alabama where she learned the traditional techniques of letterpress printing, fine binding, marbling and other paper decoration techniques and hand papermaking. Her work is true to what she has learned and reflects her exposure to contemporary art and her background as a weaver. In her limited-edition book collaborations, she works with materials and methods to follow both the personality and work of the author. The content should be more than visual. Inclusions in the paper such as ground up clothing or other material from the author that are relevant to the author and their work make the finished product much more alive. For the decorative techniques in her limited editions as well as her other work she explores the contrasting elements of light, dark, shadow, color and pattern in an effort to create tension and visual interest. The physicality of paper and what can be done with it is a never-ending source of inspiration for her.

Biography

Betsy Bevan

Expressive Arts

Betsy lives a highly creative life as a musician, composer, painter, and writer. She teaches world music at Greensboro Montessori School part time and facilitates many expressive arts workshops while working on an arts certification. As a painter since 1995 she has developed a unique style through interest in the present moment process of making art. Betsy earned her master’s degree in music composition from the Eastman School of music and has produced three albums or original music for wellbeing. She writes and illustrates children’s stories, swims, and walks in nature for fun.

Biography

Mary Beth Boone

Book Artist and Letterpress Printer

Mary Beth Boone is a book artist and letterpress printer living in Greensboro. She began making books over twenty years ago and in 2012 was inspired to purchase a Vandercook SP 15 letterpress. She prints under the imprint Purple Pumpkin Press. Mary Beth holds a MFA from the University of SC, Columbia. On the importance of art and her work with Hirsch, Mary Beth says, "Creativity is vital to my day-to-day existence. It just makes sense to support an organization dedicated to promoting healing through creativity."

Biography

Terry Brown

Yoga Instructor

Terry Brown, co-owner and co-director of the Triad Yoga Institute in Greensboro, NC, has been a student of yoga and meditation since 1984. His own experience with back pain led him to yoga and then to the profession of Physical Therapy; he is also a certified Yoga Therapist, certified Purna Yoga Instructor at the 2000 Hour Level, licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, a Level II iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher-in-Training, and a Reconnective Healing Foundational Practitioner. Terry believes the movement of the asanas (physical postures) combined with breathe, meditation, and positive feelings, can enhance the connection of the energetic and physical bodies, thereby enriching the healing effects of yoga. He enjoys seeing his students learn and grow from the yoga practices that help us rediscover the inner light of Love. Learn more about the Triad Yoga Institute by visiting www.triadyoga.com

Biography

Catherine Crowder

Horticultural Therapist

Catherine Crowder defines her work as connecting people and plants. Gardening has long been recognized as a form of therapy, and in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven society time is not spent out-of-doors in a mindful, purposeful manner. In horticultural therapy, gardening and nature-based activities are used in a goal-oriented, structured approach to improve participants’ health and wellbeing. Catherine completed a 500-hour internship with Hospice of Greensboro, and in 2015 achieved the professional credential of “HTR” (Horticultural Therapist) registered by the American Horticultural Therapy Association. She says, "Feeling the sun on my face and digging in the soil is my happy place. For many years it was my therapy, an escape from a corporate job.  Now, my hope is to share the healing aspects of nature with individuals facing health issues or general life struggles."

Biography

Kim Cuny

Expressive Writing

Looking back, it clearly all started on the first day of kindergarten. You see, the teacher had planned to read the Richard Scarry illustrated version of Chicken Little to the class. Upon learning that her very favorite storybook was to be a part of the day, Kim immediately jumped to her feet and told the story herself! Kim has been telling stories to young people ever since. She is an award-winning teaching artist who has spent more than half of her life teaching adults to communicate more effectively. She also leverages story and drama in helping adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities and all young children make sense of the world around them. Kim is passionate about inclusion and loves imaginary play. She is thrilled to join the Hirsch Wellness Network as an instructor. You can learn more about Kim by clicking on her professional web bios: https://speakingcenter.uncg.edu/communicators/kim-cuny/ and https://vpa.uncg.edu/home/directory/bio-kimcuny/

Biography

Dave Dulaney

Photographer

“I consider myself to be very fortunate to have discovered my lifelong passion at an early age,” says Dave, who grew up in Kingsport, TN. His father worked for Eastman Kodak. Of course, Kodak was the big name in film, and they had incredible darkrooms and studios for employees and family. Dave started living in the darkroom when he was 15 years old. Dave was the Chief Photographer for the University of Tennessee from 1976-1978. He is a 2013 graduate of Randolph Community College with a degree in Photographic Technology. He taught digital and film photography at the Sawtooth School of Visual Art from 2015-2020 where he was also the Assistant Director of the Photography program. Dave has won photo contests and had work published but after all these years. “I think what I’m best at is teaching,” says Dave. “I’ve taught over 600 adults and youth. I can teach you how to use your camera but more importantly, I’m more interested in teaching you how to ‘see.’”

Biography

Terri Feil

Yoga

Terri began practicing yoga in 2016 as her body yearned for movement and healing, a call for unification. She believes the practice of yoga asana brings the mind to the body and is a pathway to connecting with the inner light of awareness, our true nature, which is perfect and whole. Terri is a certified yoga instructor at the 500-hour level and is currently working towards attaining yoga therapy certification. She teaches yoga at The Triad Yoga Institute, Guilford College, and several retirement communities in Greensboro.

Biography

Alex Gaal

Drawing and Stippling Artist

Alex has always had a passion for art ever since she was a child and she has continued that passion into adulthood when she got her Drawing and Printmaking BFA from UNC Greensboro. She has spent the last 5 years concentrating on Stippling in her personal art. The repetition of mark making is very relaxing and meditative for her. She is focusing on how an assemblage of dots can explore the fine line between having the dot create a scene of chaos versus a scene of calming. A dot can represent a star, a planet or even a whole galaxy but what Alex is interested in is how one can convey the calmness of something so chaotic using these small marks. In addition to creating art, Alex is interested in pursuing Art Therapy as art has helped her through many things in her own life. In the future she wants to help enrich the lives of both individuals and communities through the creative process of art making and psychotherapy.

Biography

Ginger Gaffney

Writer

Ginger is a writer, published author and a top-ranked horse trainer. She received an MFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and her work has been published in Tin House, The Utne Reader, Witness, Quarterly West, and other publications. She lives in Velarde, New Mexico. Her memoir, Half Broke, was released in February, 2020 by W. W. Norton. Ginger teaches creative writing workshops with Hirsch Wellness. To learn more about Ginger, visit: GingerGaffney.com

Biography

Deveta Glenn

Mixed Media Arts and Crafts

Deveta is a retired art teacher. She graduated from Appalachian with a BA in Art and Psychology. She has taught in public and private schools, Gaston School of the Arts, and private art lessons. Before becoming an art teacher, Deveta was a Medical Social Worker. She is very passionate about the arts and loves the way time ceases to exist during the creative process, which she has seen to be very healing.

Biography

Dena Goldman

Jewelry Designer

After working in marketing research for many years, Dena Goldman had an opportunity to explore her creative side while being home with her children.  On this journey, she found a love for creating fun, soulful and inspiring jewelry using metal.  Dena says, “I enjoy working with different metals and I want my jewelry to have a well-loved rustic feel. I love being a part of Hirsch. It gives me an opportunity to connect with amazing people and to provide joyful therapy with my art.”

Biography

Jill Green, PhD

Bodywork and Movement

Jill has been teaching dance and somatics for over forty years. She enjoys weaving together her interests in the arts and health and serving the wellness community through her somatic work. Since 1993 Dr. Green has served the School of Dance at UNCG as professor, Director of Graduate Studies, and Interim Director of the School. Her research is widely disseminated, and she taught guest workshops and classes in the United States, Canada, Finland, Taiwan, South Africa, and Brazil. Dr. Green is the recipient of a number of teaching awards and received a Fulbright Scholarship.

Biography

Hayley Greenstreet

Drama Instructor

Hayley Greenstreet comes from Winston-Salem. She earned her BA in Theatre with Honors from Wake Forest University in 2015. After graduating, she worked as a year-long Education Resident Professional Intern at Lexington Children's Theater in Kentucky. In 2016, she moved to Omaha Nebraska to work as a Teaching Artist Fellow at The Rose Theater. After her fellowship year, Hayley continued working at The Rose as a full time Teaching Artist! In this role, Hayley wore many hats; she served the children and families of Omaha as a teacher, performer, director, and mentor. Starting in fall 2020, Hayley has attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for her MFA in Theatre for Youth. Her most recent work includes directing The Arkansaw Bear by Aurand Harris and Round Pegs, Square Pegs by Mary Hall Surface. Throughout all of her endeavors, Hayley strives to work with young people as collaborators, using their voices and ideas to fuel the work that will ultimately be shared with other young minds.

Biography

Molly Haile

Writer

Molly Haile is an MFA Graduate of UNC-Greensboro’s Creative Writing Program. She is a passionate storyteller and has been inspiring Hirsch Wellness participants with a regular “Writing to Heal” workshop. Molly teaches as an adjunct professor of Creative Writing at Salem College in Winston Salem, NC. One of her favorite quotes is by the author Flannery O’Connor,“I write to discover what I know."

Biography

Krystal Hart

American Contemporary Artist

Krystal is an American contemporary artist. Her work employs traditional earth elements taken for a 19th century Japanese painting methodology, and contemporary audio and digital technologies to create intimate communal spaces. These spaces hold meaning, value, community, and dignity. Hart’s work explores the role of narrative and storytelling in human interactions, social traditions, and historical subjectivity.

Biography

Elaine Heinl

Artist and Ceramicist

Elaine Heinl has had many and varied art experiences in her life, and enjoys sharing her love for creating with others. Currently she works out of her private studio, specializing in oil painting, hand-built pottery, and paper crafts. She has worked with Marvel Comics in New York City and was also a designer in Osaka, Japan. Elaine loves to teach and provide art experiences to all ages and skills. She has worked with Healing Arts at the Cancer Care Center since 2012, and is very happy to join with Hirsch Wellness Center where she feels blessed to meet so many wonderful people.

Biography

Bonnie Hitchcock

Ceramicist

Bonnie Mcleod Hitchcock is a ceramic artist living in Greensboro, NC. She studied at UNC-Greensboro for many years while raising her three sons. The Clay Bakery is an art school she created in her home studio in 2000. Bonnie’s interest in the ceramic field is extensive and she has travelled all over the world to deepen her knowledge and grow her craft. She attended many workshops at Penland School of Crafts, Curaumilla Art Center in Chile, and La Meridiana ceramics school in Italy. She is a glaze formulation expert who fires her work using a high temperature gas reduction kiln. With her wide degree of experience, A patient and sensitive instructor, Bonnie encourages her students to enjoy the freedom to create and experiment with the many facets of the ceramic process. The healing aspect of creativity is of high importance to her personally. Bonnie says, “My art is my work and my life. I feel incredibly gratefull to have the opportunity to share the inherent therapeutic effect of working in clay with people from all walks of life.” Visit her online at www.bonniehitchcock.com

Biography

Dalene J-Lowery

Paper Crafts

Art has been a part of Dalene’s life for as long as she can remember. She would see something of interest and then work to re-create it for herself. By the time she was nine years old, she was making her own clothes and jewelry. At the age of 12, she created and built a model home, complete with landscape and lighting. She spent many years learning and teaching a variety of crafts including drawing, sewing, macrame, embroidery, floral decorating, and scrapbooking and card making… just to name a few. Currently, as a retired educator, Dalene works out of her studio, specializing in creating gifts for others. She also works with paper crafts, scrapbooking and creating dioramas. She enjoys sharing her love of creating with everyone!

Biography

Mavis Liggett

Painter and Mixed Media Artist

Mavis Liggett had already worked a number of years in the field of creative arts when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two years into her treatment, she was given the opportunity to paint full-time after being laid off from a decade-long career as an art director. Opening a painting studio in downtown Greensboro, Mavis discovered that when she was painting, she felt free and completely in the moment, with no regrets for the past or fears of the future. In 2006 she began teaching drawing and painting for Art Alliance Greensboro and, more recently, workshops for Hirsch Wellness Network. As a cancer survivor, Mavis credits the time she spent painting during her recovery as a major contribution to her continued survival. In addition to teaching, she is also the sole proprietor of Nuclear Catfish, her own fine art, design and marketing business.

Biography

Jacqui Mehring

Textile Designer and Landscape Artist

Jacqui Mehring is a Scotland-born fiber artist and garden designer. Jacqui came to NC State University as a teaching assistant for the Textile College and stayed on to work as a textile designer, then as a horticultural therapist and landscape designer. She has taught classes at John C. Campbell Folk School, in art centers, in the Health Care System and Hospice. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach tapestry weaving with Hirsch Wellness and her favorite part of teaching is to see the students’ tapestries!

Biography

Bob Nordburch

Painter and Print Maker

For Bob Nordbruch, painting is a momentary visual state of mind captured on canvas. His thoughts are fleeting, so what the viewer sees only preserves impressions from a forever-changing inner landscape of mental images originating in "Bob's World". With a brief period of training in the visual arts, five years of teaching art, and a lifetime of observing, Bob finds great satisfaction and pleasure in pursuing his personal vision. He continues to grow as an artist, actively engaging with the shifting elements of his imagination to form creative connections that, like spirituality, bring him back again and again to inspiration and self-renewal.

Biography

Leanne Pizio

Ceramicist

Ceramicist Leanne Pizio graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in Art and a BA in Psychology. In 1995 she attended UNC-Greensboro, where she received an MFA. Pursuing her love of clay after graduation, Leanne worked numerous jobs to support her art, and is now happy to be able to create pottery at home full-time in her studio. Her pieces feature sgraffito, a technique that involves coating pottery and scratching off areas on the surface to reveal the color of the material underneath. Leanne’s intricate designs typically feature whimsical animals and storybook characters, and leaves no surface unadorned. She participates in many exhibitions in the Greensboro area, but also travels twice a year to California for shows in the spring and fall. Learn more about Leanne’s work by visiting luckyfishgallery.com/leanne-pizio

Biography

Ash Poirier

Meditation Instructor

Ash has studied with masters in the field of meditation since 2011. She is a US Navy veteran and a physician assistant who brings her deep curiosity of the mind-body connection with the caring, steady qualities of a spiritual friend. Ash has studied with leaders in the field including Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, as well as other teachers in the mindfulness community. Join Ash and reap the many benefits of this ancient practice which includes improved sleep, increased happiness, and better brain function.

Biography

Susan Ridenhour

Pottery

Potter Susan Ridenour graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill earning a Master of Social Work degree. In 2001, after a 15-year career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she began working in clay, starting at Art Alliance of Greensboro and later became a board member of Art Alliance. Stoneware is Susan’s medium, either gas reduction or electric fired to cone 6 or cone 10. Her pieces are wheel thrown functional ware for everyday use. She also hand builds structural forms constructed using finger pinching, coiling or handmade slab techniques, also made to be used. Susan originally sought out clay knowing that making something from her own ideas and her own hands would be a balm to her spirit and would foster healing and recovery after a difficult health diagnosis. Clay has continued to be a healing balm. She has been grateful daily. And currently, like many others, cancer has touched her life and through Hirsch, she has found a way to share the healing power of clay with others. To learn more about Susan and her work, visit 205collaborative.org or Instagram at pinchpot04.

Biography

Michele Rieder

Zentangle Instructor

Michele Reider is a woman of many talents who has dedicated her life to teaching and serving others. Her career as an occupational therapy practitioner included helping patients in hospitals, rehab centers and retirement communities. An accomplished pianist, Michele has played and taught piano for over 35 years. And as a dedicated mother, Michele spent 15 years homeschooling her four children. Michele's passion has always included art and music and Hirsch Wellness is fortunate that she continues to share her hoy for teaching as one of our instructors teaching Zentangle. She received her CZT credential at the 34th Zentangle Teaching Program in Providence, Rhode Island in June 2019. Michele is also of Hirsch's Artist in Residence at The Cancer Center.

Biography

Bill Savage

Taiji-Qigong Instructor

Bill is a student of Yang Yang, PhD. He practices the Chen Shi Xinyi Hunyuan style of Taiji with a lineage that can be traced directly back to Chen village where Taiji was created.  He teaches an evidenced-based curriculum that includes Taiji form, Qigong, and meditation. The focus of the practice is not the esoteric. Rather, the focus is how a Taiji practice can benefit the student in their everyday life outside of the classroom. Bill is certified by The Center for Taiji Studies, founded by Dr. Yang Yang. The combination of the Taiji form, Qigong, and meditation build a practice with many benefits, including improved balance, strength, and immune system. It also helps to ease stress and improve sleep. Bill teaches two weekly classes at Hirsch Wellness. The classes are available for online and in person participation.

Biography

Kimberly Seymour

Aromatherapist

Kimberly S. Seymour is a Clinical Aromatherapist and Co-Owner of Botanically Rooted, LLC, a private practice in Greensboro, NC since 2009, specializing in integrative therapies. She was introduced to Aromatherapy while working on her three-year Herbalism apprenticeship in 2006 with Arlene Bailey in the Daughters of the Earth Herbalism Program. Kimberly continues to educate herself in the field of Aromatherapy and Herbalism, taking several classes a year and attending conferences. She currently is teaching to groups, businesses, hospitals, spiritual leaders and lay persons. Her teaching/education specialties include Pet Aromatherapy, Mother/Baby/ Pregnancy, Birth & Lactation Aromatherapy, Aromatic Medicine, Formulation methods, consultations.

Biography

Jack Stratton

Painter

Since receiving his BFA in Painting at UNC-Greensboro in 1977, artist Jack Stratton has been making and showing his colorful expressionist paintings for nearly 40 years, both locally and nationally. After working for 10 years as a bookbinder at UNC-G’s Jackson Library and another 20 years as chief art handler and preparator for the Weatherspoon Art Museum, Jack retired and settled into a routine of painting balanced with part-time employment. Currently, he teaches drawing and watercolor classes at Art Alliance Greensboro, a city-sponsored arts organization, and also freelancing as art handler, exhibition installer, lighting/gallery consultant, and curator.

Biography

Alexander Tuttle

Sound Healer

With over 20 years of metaphysical experience, a 13-year successful private practice and an international client list, Alexander has answered his calling of service. His clients range from autistic children, addicts, cancer patients, CEOs, truth-seekers, healers, elderly and the dying. He has worked with Local NC Hospitals and Integrative Medicine Centers, is the host of the Wise Whys Podcast and the creator of the J.U.S.T. Philosophy as well as the pioneer of the Vibro Tune Sound Table Systems. He holds certification in Sound Healing and Psychoacoustics as well as multiple certifications in various other subtle energy techniques.

Biography

Beverly Vaughn

Reiki, Breathworks and EFT Tapping Instructor

Dr. Bev Vaughn has her BM, MM and PhD in music education from Westminster Choir College and UNCG. She taught for 30 years in public schools and 43 privately. In addition to teaching choir, theater, humanities, and general music, she was a guest choral director for all-county programs, guest lecturer both nationally and internationally and taught private voice and piano. She founded and directed the Rockingham County Youth Chorus for 15 years. Currently she has spent the past four years becoming a Usui Holy Fire III Karuna Reiki Master teacher and enjoys teaching and giving Reiki. In addition, she is training to be a Breathworks coach for pain and anxiety. She is a Stephen minister and a Community of Hope lay minister. She enjoys doing energy work, hiking, painting, and learning new things!

Biography

Earline Wallace

Jewelry, Handcrafts, and Origami Artist

Earline Wallace has been an integral part of Hirsch Wellness since 2009! Earline is a wife, a mother, and a grandmother.  She is a retired trauma nurse, and Deacon of her church. Earline is a three-time cancer survivor. As a Hirsch Instructor in hand-crafts, jewelry making and origami, Earline gives of herself, while pulling people together through her inspiring and caring heart.

Biography

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